I should know better....

quidni · #1

It's a given: You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind, you don't go grocery shopping on an empty stomach and you never walk into a gunshop "just to look" if you've got the mastercard handy.

This poor orphan had been sitting at the shop for several months, looked at by any number of folks, but always passed over for "something prettier" or "more practical." I guess I'm a softie at heart... couldn't stand seeing it just languishing there unwanted any longer.

It has the original box, numbered to the gun. All the original paperwork was inside the plastic case.

Colt Double Eagle, Mark II, Combat Commander.

Didn't make it to the range this afternoon like I wanted (stupid allergies... ) so I don't know yet how it handles. Hopefully I can head over one evening after work this week.

propellerhead · #2

I'm not at the level where I can appreciate classics or collector's items yet, but it looks like a nice gun.

I know what you mean about buying when you weren't planning on buying. Someone had a thread selling an XD45ACP and wanted too much. I posted on the thread saying by the time shipping and FFL fees were added, a buyer is better off buying new. The seller sent me a PM asking what would be a reasonable price. I said at $400 shipped I would think about it. Then he offered it to me for $400 shipped and two weeks later, I had it in my hands. :)

#3

quidni:
It was so kind and thoughtful to adopt that poor orphan. Now you'd better find it's cousin, a Colt Delta Elite, for the husband! Then he can get a 40 S&W barrel for it and he as a dual purpose gun.

Several years back after these guns were out of production, a shop was running an ad in Shotgun News selling Colt Double Eagles for $389.95 in Government, Commander & Officer's ACP sizes. I knew I should buy one of each and lock them in the safe. I didn't so I now have yet another story about "the ones that got away."

Nice gun.

Chas.

lrb111 · #4

Wow! That looks like pick of the litter, to me,

I'm really, really, trying to not go trolling in gun shops right now.

quidni · #5

Charles L. Cotton wrote:quidni:
Now you'd better find it's cousin, a Colt Delta Elite, for the husband!

Don't think that would work - the husband isn't into shooting the way the son and I are. Something like the Delta Elite wouldn't mean anything to him.

I didn't so I now have yet another story about "the ones that got away."
Chas.

Hmmm, I know where there's a Gov't-size Double Eagle looking for a home, if you're interested...? At least, it was still available on Saturday.

quidni · #6

After a long day at work, finally made it to the EPCC indoor range. I put just over 100 rounds through the Double Eagle, to start getting acquainted.

I found 2 "peeves" regarding the Double Eagle:
1 - the grips are too "sandpapery" for comfort - I had to get my gloves out for the last few magazines-worth of ammo. I'll learn to deal with it, for now (it's a good excuse to get range time.)

- 2 the front sight is difficult to see against a dark target. When I pasted a 3" orange circle on the target, my groups improved a good bit. I'll try dotting a bit of paint on the sights before taking it out again.

All in all, the little gun is capable of more than I am capable of getting out of it, at this point. I think this'un's a keeper.

Thane · #7

I fired it as well today. Borrowed it for a magazine's worth. (Thank you Mother

)

As far as sights go, I'm accustomed to the tiny GI-style sights on my Rock Island. The Double Eagle sights were quick and easy to acquire in comparison; I fired the 7 rounds I took today rapid-fire, at the head of a silhouette at 7 yards. One flyer - the rest stayed in the head.

As for the grips, yes they were a tad rough, but manageable. But then again, I've got tougher hands than Mom.

Double-action was manageable (I think that was my flyer - fired first round DA), and the single-action seemed almost as fast as a 1911 to me. Very nice gun, easy to handle, and it felt much better in my hand than I first expected. I didn't like the fact that you can't carry it Condition One; it has a decocker, not a safety. This fact is made up for in the DA capability, though; with practice, a smooth trigger pull in DA is certainly possible.

A body could do far worse than a Double Eagle for defense work or for just plain fun (or both). If I didn't have my 1911, I'd go for the Double Eagle without hesitation.